Tips from a pro

The first face you’re likely to see when arriving at Harewood Golf Club is that of Craig Mitchell, the club’s PGA professional and operator of its Pro Shop, a retail outlet and the starting point for green fees, cart and club hire and tokens for the driving range ball machine. Always ready to help, Mitchell makes a point of welcoming new players to Harewood. ‘‘There are two things we want to convey,’’ he says. ‘‘One, everyone is welcome, and two, you don’t have to be a member of Harewood or any other golf club to come and play here.’’ A golfer since the age of 10, Mitchell joined the Professional Golfers’ Association in 1986 and is a well-known figure on the Canterbury golf scene, having previously coached at the Russley, Clearwater and Pegasus golf clubs. These days he is fulltime at Harewood, offering one-on-one lessons, tips for groups and a bit of friendly competition upon arrangement.